Latest Health News from KDHE

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the state designee for health information technology, announces a meeting of the e-Health Advisory Council will be held Wednesday, March 10. The meeting will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Kansas Medical Society, 623 SW 10th Topeka, and is open to the public.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is hosting the 16th Annual WORKS! Conference on Recycling, Composting, Household Hazardous Waste and Renewable Energy on March 23-25 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Junction City.

Twenty years ago smoking by adults in schools was a common sight. Not surprisingly, so was adolescent tobacco use in the community.

Thankfully, today smoking is unthinkable anywhere in Kansas schools. And adolescent tobacco use is at last showing a steady decline.

This welcome transformation has happened because nearly everyone now agrees that our educational institutions should be places that model health and wellness for our kids.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) conducted laboratory tests on particulate material found in a residential area of northern Chanute and has determined that the material is non-hazardous.

Colorectal cancer can strike at any age, but nine out of 10 new cases are in people age 50 or older. Kansans older than 50 or who have a family history of the disease are encouraged to be screened.

March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Communities and organizations across the U.S. will sponsor programs on or around this date to call attention to the ever-rising numbers of women diagnosed with HIV and seek solutions to reduce the spread of the virus.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is asking for public comments regarding a proposal to address environmental contamination at the Brown Welding Site at 300 N. Seventh Street, Salina. The former Brown Welding Supply, LLC provided welding supplies and various services at that location.

While the threat of severe weather in Kansas is year round, March 8-12th is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas, and a good opportunity to discuss the importance of emergency preparedness with your family. In 2008, the National Weather Service reported a record total of 187 tornadoes in Kansas. Kansas also experiences numerous other high impact weather events, including blizzards, severe thunderstorms, and floods. “When severe weather strikes you often have only a few minutes to respond and seek shelter. It is essential for you and your family to be prepared in an emergency,” said Cherie Sage, State Director for Safe Kids Kansas. Safe Kids Kansas recommends becoming familiar with the type of weather you may encounter, prepare an emergency disaster kit, and practice your emergency plan frequently with your entire family.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued an Emergency Order of Suspension against Mary Lou Leinbach Day Care Home, a registered family day care home operated by Mary Lou Leinbach located at 118 S. Roupp, Hesston.

A 60-year-old man from the Topeka metropolitan area* has died from infection with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced today. This death brings the total number of confirmed deaths from the pandemic strain statewide to 28.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced the deadline of April 5 for the 2010 Fight the Bite Poster Contest, which is open to all fifth and sixth graders in the U.S. The contest encourages students to use art to show the ways they can protect themselves and their families from the diseases spread by mosquitoes, ticks and fleas by using repellent while outdoors.

Ten years ago this month a seat belt saved my life. I was driving on a gravel road near my farm when I lost control on a curve and slammed my family sedan directly into an oncoming truck. The force of the collision instantly crushed the front half of my car, shattering the windshield and splattering motor oil all over the road.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued an Emergency Order of Suspension against Little Friends Day Care Home, a registered family day care home operated by Lynde Ann Price located at 6124 Buena Vista, Fairway.

Chances are the teenagers you know aren’t thinking much about the far-off future when they will be middle-aged adults. Their attention is probably focused more on the latest hip-hop music than on the prevention of the hip fractures 30 or 40 years from now.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that between years 2000 and 2006 there were at least 180 deaths related to tip-overs of furniture, televisions or appliances. Most of these deaths, 80 percent of them, involved children younger than 10. In 2007, the CPSC identified this issue as one of the top five hidden home hazards. “Kids can be seriously injured or killed as a result of climbing onto, falling against or pulling themselves up on shelves, bookcases, dressers, TV tables and other furniture,” says Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas Director.